News headline: the government is recalling a bunch of candles for being a fire hazard.

I sez to myself, No shit?

Turns out this is actually a bit more serious than indicated at first blush. These are tea lights that were made by Pacific Trade International in Rockville, Maryland, and sold under the Chesapeake Bay Candle and Modern Light brands, typically available at Target, Home Goods, and Wegmans between July 2009 and February of this year. It seems the plastic used in the cups that hold the candles can ignite or melt. Either way, they can transfer the fire from the candle to the surrounding area, which is never a good idea. There have been no fires attributed to them, but Pacific Trade does report getting a report of the cup melting. So it looks like guys trying to be romantic burned the roast, but that was it.